DURHAM’S police chief today apologised to the family of a grandfather who died in police custody after his arrest – and said important lessons had been learned.

Temporary Chief Constable Mike Barton was giving evidence on the tenth day of the inquest into the death of Lenny McCourt, who had been pepper sprayed twice during his arrest for being drunk and disorderly.

The 44-year-old was certified dead about half an hour after he arrived at Peterlee Police Station, County Durham, following the short journey from his home in Ash Crescent, Seaham, on September 11, 2010.

Mr Barton said: “I joined the police to protect people.

“Mr McCourt died while in our care. I would like to say to Mr McCourt’s family that from a personal point of view and on behalf of Durham Constabulary I couldn’t be more sorry.”

Mr McCourt’s sister-in-law, Tracey McCourt, who is representing the family, thanked Mr Barton for his apology and went on to raise the issue of the monitoring of detainees in the back of the police van.

She said officers had given the impression that “it simply wasn’t done”, despite guidelines stipulating it should be.

Mr Barton replied: “If they haven’t done what they have been asked to do that is a matter for them. But I am extremely disappointed.”

He added: “I am deeply sorry that what happened, happened. As to whether or not people are reprehensible in how they approach their work there are other proceedings that will take care of that . . . there are misconduct proceedings that can take place.”

Mr Barton said he was aware of the physical problems of monitoring a prisoner from the front of a police van and - following Mr McCourt’s death - the force was now looking at the potential of reconfiguring a second row of seats in the van to face backwards.

He said: “Leonards’ death prompted us to scrutinise all sorts of things. .... I have learned things and I have thought of about how I can make people safer as a result of Leonard’s death.”

Asked by County Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle about the possibility of placing cameras in vans, Mr Barton said it was something he was exploring, but it was not straightforward for technical reasons.

Earlier, paramedics Steven Stansfield told the hearing in Crook that when he arrived at the police station eight minutes after being alerted, Mr McCourt was not breathing and his heart activity had “flatlined” – with very little hope of recovery. Helped by a police officer, he and a colleague tried for 20 minutes to revive him.

Mr Tweddle directed the jury to return a verdict of misadventure, adding there was no suggestion police officers had intended to harm Mr McCourt. 

The jury will tomorrow (October 31) continue considering its narrative verdict.